Are you a wanna-be artist, an artist-at-heart or an artist dedicated to growing your skills? This workshop is for you!

Packed with value, this upcoming event will strengthen your artistic growth as well as help you invest in what really makes an artist thrive: your walk with God! Bible journaling inspiration and tips, encouragement on what it means to be an artist and how to cultivate a supportive artistic lifestyle will be woven together with art assignments to help you grow your watercolor and mixed media skills!

This is more than a workshop. It’s a friendship, a mentorship and a pathway for growth as an artist! Start the sign up process today by sending an email to melissajacie@gmail.com with the words: I’m interested!

THE DETAILS

WHO: Wannabe artists, artists-at-heart and artists dedicated to growing their skills! There will be two tracks within the workshop–one for those looking for a gentle way forward, simple assignments focused on inspiration and encouragement. And one for those looking for deeper growth and development of their skills. 

WHAT: An online workshop filled with valuable encouragement, inspiration and instruction. Every week, an email of encouragement, inspiration and instruction will land in your inbox. You will have priority access to me as an art mentor and friend as well as receive notes of encouragement within the week via email or text. It’s like having an online artist friend there to cheer you on as you invest in your creative skills!

WHERE: Online! All you need is internet access, an email address and the ability to send/receive images and text.

WHEN: The workshop will be opening in April (Lord willing) and continuing through August. While it is ideal to be present for the entirety of the workshop, you are also welcome to join and/or leave when needed. 

VALUE: This is more than your normal art workshop. Art instruction is a part of it, but discipleship and spiritual encouragement are a core focus. The workshop will include Bible studies, Bible journaling inspiration and encouragement in prayer. Our walk with God is absolutely foundational to thriving as an artist! You will also receive encouragement to invest in your life as an artist–such as taking time to be still and prioritizing your health. (You’ll be growing alongside of me as I work on this area myself! It’s not always easy to make one’s own health a priority, but it’s so very necessary for thriving as the artist He has created us to be!) You will also have the opportunity to get to see a bit more closely into my life and get to know me as a friend.

So what exactly could it look like? Picture this. Monday morning is here and you wake up to an email arriving in your inbox. Within, you find spiritual encouragement for your week–guidance and inspiration on how to simply and beautifully grow your walk with Him, possibly including a printable Bible study or prayer journal page. There’s also inspiration and encouragement on how to start cultivating your health as an artist. Maybe this week it’s focusing on making small steps towards a better bedtime (any night owls relate? You’re not alone–I’m the “queen” of night owls). :) Then, there’s the art lesson! Pictures, instruction and an assignment waiting to help you launch forward in your skills. Maybe even a video giving inspiration and instruction for this week’s assignment.

That same day, you can reach out to me via email or text and ask any questions you might have, share your successes or struggles, ask for prayer and receive a reply of encouragement.

On Wednesday, you might receive an email or text message with some extra encouragement to keep going. Maybe it includes a picture from my day and a Scripture verse.

Friday, you have the opportunity to share pictures of the artwork you created, send in a Bible study you did and/or share anything you’d like from your experiences during the week! I’ll receive and respond that weekend, which may include a video draw-over critique of your artwork (for those looking to invest more deeply in their skills) with inspiration and guidance. For those looking for a gentler inspiration approach, I’ll respond with encouragement aligned with that direction.

OPPORTUNITIES: Depending on how many attend, we may be able to develop a community connection of artists who can share work with each other and encourage each other spiritually!

COST: $25 a week per student/family. This can be paid on a weekly basis or added together and paid once per month.

Excited to be a part? Simply email Melissa at melissajacie@gmail.com with “I’m interested!” to get the sign up process started!

About the Art Teacher & Mentor

Melissa Jacie Thomsen is a 32 year old artist and dreamer living in Northeast Ohio. She was homeschooled through highschool and earned an Associates degree through Thomas Edison State College.

With a love for God and His Word, Melissa believes in a Christ-centered orientation when it comes to living as an artist. Being an artist is a unique call and responsibility that the world doesn’t always recognize or understand. It takes faith and intentionality to step aside from “the normal” and become the conduit of beauty, truth and light that God intends for His artists.

Having been mentored long distance by a skilled Christian artist herself, Melissa knows the value of having someone to walk alongside you in the journey of being a creative.

Art mentoring is more than a mentorship. It’s a friendship. Ongoing encouragement. And a way to stir the fire and purpose within.